Colonoscopy

Hi everyone... Last week my oncologist recommended that I have a colonoscopy. I have had some blood in my stool for about a month and a half. I had a consultation with an internist yesterday, and he also said I need to have one (my rheumy also suggested it). So, I scheduled it for June 28th.

I am so nervous and scared about having this done. I know people have them done every day, but I am still just really anxious about it. Has anyone had this procedure done before? I also have never had any type of anesthesia before, so that is another thing I am worried about. I would welcome any experiences! So far, I have talked to one person who's had it done three different times, and she said the preparation the day before is the worst part. Oh, how I hope this is true!

Believe what you've been told! The prep is the worst part. Don't worry about the anesthesia; it's the type they slip in the IV you'll have. It's not the kind that you have the tube down your throat, mask over your face!

Once they start the medication, you won't be aware of anything. The next thing I remember was coming around in the recovery area. You will need someone to drive you home.

Good luck with it and do let us know if you find out anything from the test.

Heather, your friend is absolutely correct - the preparation is the worse part. I had my third colonoscopy last month. The actual procedure was a piece of cake because I remember NADA, zilch, zero. The medications my gastroenterologist used do not put me "under" but rather make me unaware of the event. He uses a combination of Versed and Demerol. Versed is commonly given for colonoscopies. The actual procedure took less than 35 minutes and I had to have some biopsies and polyls removed. I did NOT feel them do the biopsies nor did I feel him remove the polyps. When he was finished, I got up, got dressed and my friend drove me home. You will need to have someone drive you home because they will not let you drive after receiving the medications.

Please don't get yourself worked up over the procedure. Far better to get that blood in the stool situation checked out than not. As everyone has likely told you already, blood in the stool can be an indicator of some conditions that need treatment. Good luck - it will be fine....

Had it done in october...no big deal. The worst part of it is trying to drink all the liquid and spending 5-6 hours in the bathroom the night before. Sure cleans you out. Don't plan on going anywhere the night before...except to the bathroom. The procedure is nothing. I had a colonoscopy and an endoscopy done at the same time and it was painless. They put me to sleep...actually twilight and the next thing I new it was over.

Don't worry a bit!! I am a 30 yr old female. Been there done that!! Everyone else is right, the prep is by far the worst!!! Mainly because I dont like to drink stuff I do not like!!!! And yes....you will spend nearly the entire day before...in your bathroom, so make it cozy!! A tip for you, I did not drink the entire jug, I drank it until my stool was just clear water!!! (maybe 3/4 of the jug) Hang in there!!! And good luck!

Thanks everyone! This makes me feel much better. I will be so glad to get this out of the way and find out what is causing my problem, although I hope it's nothing serious! The nearest hospital is 1 1/2 hours away from me, so my husband will be driving me. He's become a wonderful chauffeur in the last year. My rheumatologist is 3 hours away, so we're used to the driving thing. Thanks again!

Buy the good toilet paper (I like Charmin Ultra for the day before) and some aloe baby wipes. And a few good magazines. You will be fine. Yes the worse part is the prep. I was given the Versed as well and I don't remember a thing so I was fine. Kinda groggy coming out of the anesthesia but I was ready for breakfast afterwards (at home of course

Good luck with the colonoscopy! Like the others said, the prep is the worst part. If you sip on sprite before, during and after the prep, it helps settle your stomach. After the prep its a peice of cake, like Ides said.. .

Take care and let us know how it goes. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

I had one last year and like you, was dreading it. Once it was all over, I was like "That's it"!The worst part was drinking the "goo"! Which I only drank 1/2 (which was ok cause I was super clean the next day)The actual test itself was a breeze. They give you a sedative to relax (which works GREAT) and the test last less than 5 mins. Now here is the best part of a colonoscopy. You are totally detoxed once the colon is totally clean. The day of the colonoscopy I had an energy I haven't had it a long time. Which was obviously from detoxing. Don't sweat it.......the fear it is worse than the test.

It's just as everyone says, the prep is the worst part. They told me if I could get at least 3/4 of the jug down, that would be enough. Some facilities offer a flavor packet to mix with the medication in the jug, the cherry's not bad. Kind of has the flavor of salt-water, though. The actual test is done while you're sedated, not too heavily, but enough so you don't feel a thing. They used Versed and Fentynl for me and the Versed is not only a sedative, but has amnesic qualities to it, hence the not remembering anything afterwards. The only problem is, you may say things you might not remember! When I had mine (at the same hospital I work at), the physician was a Dr. I know quite well, as was the nurse. I told the nurse when I "came to" that I was so glad the Dr. wasn't there when I woke up, as he had just been-pardon the expression- up my a**! She said, well you spoke to him for several minutes before he left--I have no clue what I said! I think everyone worries before the test, cause they 1) don't know what they'll find, and 2) it's embarrassing. The nurses are really great at putting you at ease though. Take care, and good luck..

I am coming into this one a bit late I think, but just to say I have had this done a few times and as the others say, the preparation beforehand is worse than the actual procedure. I have only everr had a fizzy liquid type thingummy for cleansing and it was a bit harsh, but if there are tablets to do it then that is better I think. I think in my case it was quite a bit more harsh because I was very sore in the area anyway.

Also the sleepy bit that you go into is good too. They didn't normally put me "out" but I don't actually remember much about what is going on. Next thing I know I am in recovery.

I don't know how it works where you're going to have it done, but I found it a little embarrassing afterwards with all the animal noises going on in the recovery room. Just trying to lighten things up for you, please don;t think me rude hee hee !!

Seriously though, please don't worry it is the best thing to have done under the circumstances. Much better to be safe than sorry.

Heather, I second what everyone else has said. The prep work is no fun but the procedure is a piece of cake. I've had it done once and will be due for another one in three years and don't dread it in the least. I'll be sure to remember what Des had to say about her favorite t-paper, baby wipes, and magazines! Good one Des.

ive had a colonoscopy. one year ago. yeah, the prep was so bad i felt like i had to puke everything i hadnt eaten. it tasted so bad. i didnt have any IV placed but it didnt hurt. it felt funny and weird but it was really fast.Mariela

Like Frank and Des said, there are other options you can talk to your doctor about instead of the Colyte. Most doctors prefer the colyte as it cleans the colon out better, but some people aren't able to drink it. The pills are one option, but there's also, Go-lytely (which is half the size of the colyte jug and flavored), and fleet soda phosphate(three tables spoons the night before and 3 tables spoons the morning of).

I'm sure all doctors have their preference. The group of GI's I work for give all the options listed above, but they do prefer the colyte. I'm sure you and your GI doc will choose the right one for you. Good luck and take care.

This could be TMI, BUT..... This is the day before my procedure. At 2:00 I drank 10 oz. of Magnesium Citrate. At 4:00 I took 4 Dulcolax. It's 5:40 now and I have not had to use the restroom one time. I don't even feel like I will need to at all. Is this bad? What happens if I don't go today at all? Everyone said I should be in the bathroom 4-5 hours, and it hasn't even phased me. Is it still too early?

Have you gone yet? It's a little over an hour since you posted and I am hoping things have started to move. Your colonoscopy prep instruction sheet should tell you who to call, what to do, if you haven't had a BM by a certain time. If you don't go tonight, it could be possible that you won't be sufficiently cleaned out for them to do the scope tomorrow.

I just called the hospital. Since it is outpatient, there is no nurse available to speak with me. However, I did talk to someone in radiology, and she said to keep drinking water and it should push things. I don't know. I still don't feel like water is going to make any difference. I have had chicken broth and jello, and still nothing. I really, really hope I don't get down to the hospital at 6 in the morning and have them tell me they can't do it! Ugh! This is so frustrating!

If there is no phone number call your gastro's office, they should have a phone service that can reach one of the gastro doc's & they will call you back. I have never took the mag so I'm not sure how it will work you. I do know the dulcolax takes a while. I have bought the mag before when I was constipated but after the pharmasist telling me not to leave the house if I took it I chickened out on taking it.

I'm sorry that you've not had the results that you were expecting. I have to say I've taken both the other bowel preps. I know for sure that the mag can take up to 6 hrs to work. I'd think that if you are having a procedure your GI would have used something that was most assuredly make you go the toilet.

Wishing you the best and I hope your appt isn't canceled in the morning.

HI I started my dulcolax (4) at 5:30pm, and my osmoprep pills series at 6:30. I started going at 8:45ish. How long do you think I will keep going? It's 11:30 now and i'm still going brown stuff--not clear-- every 10 min or so. It's really liquidy, but no clear yet. Does anyone know how long it will take to clean out?

Also, my instructions say to take 8 more pills in the morning 3.5 hours before my procedure. SO that would be 5:30 because my colonoscopy is at 9am. Will i keep pooing up until i Get there? It takes at least 30 mins to get to the hospital... and I don't have any diapers! What should I do if i have to "Go"? umm... sorry for the TMI. but this is really causing me a bit of worry.

Also, how do they tell if your prep was successful? Before or after they put you through anesthesia?